Eating Disorder Therapy For Children in Rockville, Maryland
Olivia Kline, LGPC is a child eating disorder therapist in Rockville, Maryland who works with children ages 3+ struggling with eating disorders, anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, trauma, and family stressors. Olivia specializes in supporting children experiencing anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), body image concerns, selective eating, and other feeding and eating challenges.
Olivia understands that eating disorders and emotional struggles often show up differently in children than they do in adults. Some children may become increasingly selective with food, fearful around eating, emotionally dysregulated at mealtimes, anxious about their bodies, or withdrawn socially. Others may struggle with perfectionism, sensory sensitivities, difficulty expressing emotions, or big feelings that impact daily life. Olivia works to create a warm, supportive environment where children feel safe expressing themselves in ways that feel natural and developmentally appropriate.
For children, Olivia incorporates child-centered play therapy techniques into sessions. Through play, art, storytelling, games, and other creative interventions, children are able to process emotions, strengthen coping skills, build emotional regulation, and communicate experiences that may be difficult to express verbally. Olivia is currently working toward her Registered Play Therapist (RPT) certification and is passionate about helping children heal through connection, creativity, and play.
Olivia also works closely with parents and caregivers throughout the therapy process. She believes that involving parents is an important part of supporting lasting progress outside of sessions. Parents are guided in understanding their child’s emotional and behavioral needs while learning supportive strategies for navigating mealtime stress, emotional outbursts, anxiety, rigidity, and family challenges.
Olivia has experience working with children in both community mental health and private practice settings. She previously worked at a private therapy practice supporting children and families and also conducted research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she studied the relationship between brain development, genetics, and behavior. Her background in research helps inform her thoughtful, evidence-based approach to treatment.
Olivia integrates child-centered play therapy, somatic approaches, and person-centered therapy into her work with children and families. She tailors treatment to each child’s unique personality, developmental stage, and emotional needs.
Olivia’s Approach to Child Eating Disorder Therapy
As a child eating disorder therapist in Rockville, Maryland, Olivia takes a compassionate, individualized, and family-centered approach to treatment. She works from a Health at Every Size® (HAES)-aligned and weight-inclusive perspective, helping children and families move away from shame, fear, and rigidity around food and body image.
In therapy, Olivia may help children:
Olivia approaches therapy through a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and affirming lens. She strives to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where children and families feel genuinely supported throughout the healing process.
She believes that recovery and healing are possible and feels honored to help children and families move toward a more peaceful and connected relationship with food, emotions, and themselves.
Olivia understands that eating disorders and emotional struggles often show up differently in children than they do in adults. Some children may become increasingly selective with food, fearful around eating, emotionally dysregulated at mealtimes, anxious about their bodies, or withdrawn socially. Others may struggle with perfectionism, sensory sensitivities, difficulty expressing emotions, or big feelings that impact daily life. Olivia works to create a warm, supportive environment where children feel safe expressing themselves in ways that feel natural and developmentally appropriate.
For children, Olivia incorporates child-centered play therapy techniques into sessions. Through play, art, storytelling, games, and other creative interventions, children are able to process emotions, strengthen coping skills, build emotional regulation, and communicate experiences that may be difficult to express verbally. Olivia is currently working toward her Registered Play Therapist (RPT) certification and is passionate about helping children heal through connection, creativity, and play.
Olivia also works closely with parents and caregivers throughout the therapy process. She believes that involving parents is an important part of supporting lasting progress outside of sessions. Parents are guided in understanding their child’s emotional and behavioral needs while learning supportive strategies for navigating mealtime stress, emotional outbursts, anxiety, rigidity, and family challenges.
Olivia has experience working with children in both community mental health and private practice settings. She previously worked at a private therapy practice supporting children and families and also conducted research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she studied the relationship between brain development, genetics, and behavior. Her background in research helps inform her thoughtful, evidence-based approach to treatment.
Olivia integrates child-centered play therapy, somatic approaches, and person-centered therapy into her work with children and families. She tailors treatment to each child’s unique personality, developmental stage, and emotional needs.
Olivia’s Approach to Child Eating Disorder Therapy
As a child eating disorder therapist in Rockville, Maryland, Olivia takes a compassionate, individualized, and family-centered approach to treatment. She works from a Health at Every Size® (HAES)-aligned and weight-inclusive perspective, helping children and families move away from shame, fear, and rigidity around food and body image.
In therapy, Olivia may help children:
- Build emotional awareness and coping skills
- Reduce anxiety around food, eating, or body image
- Strengthen emotional and nervous system regulation
- Express emotions safely through play and creative interventions
- Improve flexibility around food and routines
- Navigate sensory-related food challenges commonly associated with ARFID
- Increase confidence and self-esteem
- Strengthen family communication and connection
Olivia approaches therapy through a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and affirming lens. She strives to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where children and families feel genuinely supported throughout the healing process.
She believes that recovery and healing are possible and feels honored to help children and families move toward a more peaceful and connected relationship with food, emotions, and themselves.
Play Therapy for eating disorders, in Rockville, Maryland, Serving Potomac, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Montgomery County. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, in Annapolis, Chevy Chase, Germantown and Olney.